DENVER (CBS4) – A new variant of the COVID-19 virus, considered more contagious, was discovered in Colorado. Governor Jared Polis and state health officials announced Colorado’s first case of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, which was previously discovered in the United Kingdom.
(credit: CBS)
“The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed and notified the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about the case. The individual is a man in his 20s who is currently in isolation in Elbert County and has no travel history.
“The individual is recovering in isolation and will remain there until released by the public health authorities. The individual has no close contacts identified so far, but public health officials are working to identify other cases and potential contacts through thorough contact tracking interviews. “
Public health officials said they are conducting a thorough investigation.
“There is a lot we don’t know about this new variant of COVID-19, but scientists in the UK are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious. The health and safety of coloradanos is our highest priority and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators. We are working to prevent the spread and contain the virus at all levels, ”said Governor Jared Polis.
Officials said the Colorado state laboratory was the first in the country to quickly identify the variant through sophisticated analysis of test samples.
UK scientists believe that variant B.1.1.7 is more contagious than previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, although it is no longer severe in symptoms.
Currently approved vaccines are considered effective against this variant.
“The fact that Colorado first detected this variant in the country is proof of the sophistication of Colorado’s response and the talent of the scientist and CDPHE laboratory operations,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment Colorado environment. “We are currently using all available tools to protect public health and to mitigate the spread of this variant.”
Governor Polis and state officials will provide more details at a news conference tomorrow morning.